(REUTERS) Escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is hampering efforts to contain an Ebola outbreak that has reached 808 confirmed cases across three provinces, the United Nations said on Tuesday (June 16).
U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said health authorities reported 21 new confirmed cases as of June 14 in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. He warned that ongoing clashes and displacement were increasing the risk of transmission as people move to and from affected areas.
In North Kivu, clashes over the weekend in Walikale and Masisi territories forced hundreds of families to flee, while shelling in Muunda and Buhimba killed at least three civilians and injured five on June 13, the spokesperson said, citing local authorities.
Dujarric said hostilities also continued in South Kivu, with airstrikes, shelling and gunfire reported in populated areas, further disrupting humanitarian access and leaving more people without assistance.
Posted by: AAngeles/NET25 News
